Jason Droege is a seasoned technology executive and entrepreneur. Before joining Scale, he was a Venture Partner at Benchmark, an investment firm focused on early-stage venture investing in consumer, marketplaces, open-source, AI, infrastructure, and enterprise software. He joined Benchmark in 2021 to collaborate closely with portfolio founders, leveraging his extensive experience in building consumer businesses.

HOLYOKE — This city — with its affordable old mills-turned office lofts, affordable green hydropower and proximity to markets and to educated workers form the Five Colleges — kept coming up during a technology conference in tony Cambridge last week.

And Mike Stone — resident, co-founder and principal of Cofab Design here and an organizer of the upcoming HardTech Holyoke — insists he wasn’t the one bringing his adopted hometown into the conversation.

“Holyoke is on their minds,” Stone said. “There is an energy.” The energy is for Boston- or New York-grown companies looking for a place where they can grow.

CoFab is a five-person engineering consultancy working on designs for manufacturers.

The trendy word is HardTech, hard technology meant to differentiate manufacturing physical things from developments in AI or software.

“We work in atoms, not bytes,” Stone said.

The second-ever HardTech Holyoke event will be held Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Mill 1 at Open Square. More information is available by emailing hello@hardtechholyoke.org or online at hardtechholyoke.org.

A mix of networking, information and making connections, the event provides space for representatives of established companies in Holyoke to meet with firms potentially looking to locate here and learn about all the positive assets Holyoke can provide, said Aaron Vega, director of planning economic development for the city.

The first event — in August 2023 — drew 100 people.

“It was this scene-building activity,” Vega said.

With an admittedly loose definition of “annual,” Stone said he goes for a relaxed vibe without a lot of presentations. There will be food and conversation with displays of technology developed in Holyoke.

“More like a gallery opening, but for manufacturing and engineering,” he said

A buzz, he said, generated by success stories like Clean Crop Technologies which is developing new ways to remove contamination from seeds and foods and is located just upstairs from Stone’s Cofab Design in the Wauregan Building at 340 Dwight St.

Sublime Systems has helped put Holyoke on the map despite the loss of a federal grant supporting its plans to bring an innovative cement manufacturing process to Holyoke.

Sublime says it is moving forward and hopes to recapture the federal money.

Xenocs, with offices in Open Square in Holyoke, uses X-ray technology to analyze nanoscale materials. It will participate as well.

Based in Sunderland, Florrent, a maker of supercapacitors for energy storage, is also part of the event.

The world of sports has been known to change quickly, and one way this occurs is through technology.

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There is constantly a new wave of tech on the horizon that can better various aspects of sports, including athletes’ performance.

Pairing the prowess of an athlete with innovative technology can elevate both an individual’s and a team’s performance.

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Wanting to better an athlete’s or a team’s performance is the norm for coaches, and all coaches could find this post useful.

Below, you will find out what types of technology are beneficial if you want to improve sports performance, as well as how this is achieved. 

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Athlete Monitoring with Wearable Technology

Athletes, coaches, and medical professionals can obtain precise data through wearable technology, which has completely transformed performance analysis in sports. Wearable tech can provide real-time data on various biomechanical and physiological parameters. Watches and other devices have been equipped with GPS and motion sensors, allowing individuals to analyze their performance patterns through their endurance, movements, and speed. 

Coaches can use the data supplied to analyze performance, identify weaknesses, and optimize training routines. This will include distance, endurance, movement patterns, and speed from accelerometers and GPS. 

These devices will also measure the athlete’s heart rate and variability (HRV), which can provide insight into fatigue, recovery, and stress. While HRV helps athletes assess their readiness for training, sensors like electromyography (EMG) will track muscle activation and engagement, helping to identify muscle imbalances. Obtaining this information in real time will allow for immediate adjustments during competition and/or training.

Performance Strategy with Monitoring Tools

The use of monitoring tools in sports can provide valuable data that inform injury prevention, recovery, and training. Such data can be used by athletes and coaches to make data-driven decisions for them, optimize how they perform, and reduce the risk of injuries during training and competitions. This data will include key performance indicators, such as heart rate, movement patterns, and workload.

While wearable tech can also be used for this, the primary monitoring tools used by athletes and coaches include 3D motion capture systems, game analysis software, and video analysis systems. The latter is crucial to identify strengths and weaknesses, monitor performance, provide immediate and visual feedback, and track progress. If you wish to capture this type of data during training and so on, you should research the best sports video systems. 

Video performance systems for sports should include advanced analytical tools, high-quality video capture, and integration capabilities. For example, Endzone Video Systems designs telescoping towers and sports camera systems, and this company has been recognized as one of the best, which means their products must be well-made. 

Virtual Reality in Sports Training

With many advancements made in recent years, virtual reality (VR) has become well-known in some sports training sessions. VR can create an immersive and interactive environment that replicates the real-world game scenario, no matter if it is golf, motorsport, or soccer.. This allows athletes to practice their skills and strategies in a safe and repeatable manner.

There are several benefits to using VR in sports training. As well as providing real-time feedback on an athlete’s performance, this type of technology can enable athletes to better their decision-making under pressure, spatial awareness, and tactical understanding. This can also introduce them to high-pressure situations, assisting them with developing mental toughness and stress management techniques.

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To conclude, there are a number of different types of technology that can improve the performance of a sports team.

Wearable tech, monitoring tools, and virtual reality, as discussed in this post, are only a few options that athletes and coaches should take advantage of to up their game in the future.

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PHOTO: Chelsea Ouellet/Pixabay

D1 Training, a leading fitness enrichment concept utilizing the five core tenets of athletic-based training, recently opened a new location in Peachtree Corners at 5250 Triangle Pkwy NW Suite 400. The new group fitness facility employs a sports-science backed training regimen led by certified trainers to help people of all ages achieve their sport and fitness goals.

Roald and Marian Richards will join a roster of impressive existing franchisees, including professional athletes like Kylie Fitts and Jordan Gay. Additional franchise partners include notable figures such as Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, Tim Tebow, and Michael Oher

The Richards family has always embraced an active lifestyle. Marian played college basketball, while Roald was a multi-sport athlete in high school, competing in both basketball and track. Their children share that same passion: their oldest daughter competes in varsity basketball and track, and their son also plays varsity basketball. Both have played AAU basketball, along with baseball and soccer. Their youngest daughter is now following in their footsteps as a soccer player. Roald went on to coach basketball at the local YMCA after college and continued coaching his son through childhood. Marian is equally involved, having coached several of their children’s sports teams over the years.

In addition to coaching, Roald has enjoyed a successful 29-year career in finance. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit, he sought business opportunities after achieving financial security. D1 Training aligned perfectly with his interests and values, allowing him to provide youth athletes in his community with the chance to reach their fitness goals and become the best versions of themselves both on and off the field.

“Throughout my journey in sports, I’ve come to understand that athletics provide kids with the opportunity to build solid foundations and learn invaluable life lessons,” said Roald. “It’s about much more than just playing a game; through sports, children gain discipline and discover important truths about themselves, which can be crucial for their development. I’m excited to help the youth athletes of Peachtree Corners and the surrounding communities achieve their goals and cultivate the confidence they need to excel in whatever they pursue.”

D1 Training offers four age-based programs including Rookie (ages 7-11), Developmental (ages 12-14), Prep (ages 15-18) and D1 Adult. Each fitness program is based on the five athletic-based tenets: dynamic warm-up, performance, strength program, core and conditioning, and cool down. Outside of group workouts, D1 Training offers group, semi-private, and one-on-one training with world-class coaches. The goal is simple: to continue to train athletes who are dedicated to their sport or fitness goals, regardless of age, or athletic background.

“The Richards are the ideal candidates to bring the D1 Training experience to Peachtree Corners,” said the brand’s Chief Operating Officer, Dan Murphy. “We’re thrilled to welcome them to the D1 family and are confident in their ability to show the Peachtree Corners area what they’ve been missing out on. D1 is a one-of-a-kind fitness experience that’s built around the individual and meant to help people meet their athletic goals. Our strong network of franchisees embodies our core values to bring the D1 Training vision to life, and we know the Richards will do just that in Peachtree Corners and its surrounding communities.”

Strategically expanding across the nation through franchising, D1 Training has more than 100 performance centers open with over 100 additional locations in various stages of development. The brand is currently seeking financially qualified business builders, former athletes, and entrepreneurs, who share a passion for fitness and youth sports, who are ready to make a positive impact on their community.

For more information on D1 Training Peachtree Corners, please visit https://www.d1training.com/peachtree-corners/, or call (855) 783-7650.

About D1 Training 

Founded in 2001 by former NFL player Will Bartholomew, and based in Nashville, D1 Training began franchising in 2017. The popular fitness brand has grown to more than 100 locations currently open, with over 250 additional locations in various stages of development. The brand was recently ranked in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500, was named a Top 30 Gym in America by Men’s Health Magazine and made an appearance on The Inc. 5000 which ranks the fastest growing private companies in the nation. D1 Training has been endorsed by the NFL Players Association as an approved training facility and is a preferred partner of the National Academy of Sports Medicine. D1 Training is actively seeking qualified, community-minded franchisees with a passion for the fitness industry to continue its growth through single and multi-unit franchise deals. For more information on D1 Training and franchise opportunities, please visit https://www.d1franchise.com/.

The ‘GOAL’ concept has been designed by Yewon Lee as a playful sports equipment solution that embraces technology to balance the offline world with the online one. The system consists of two main components including a base with a projector and a speaker alongside a smart ball that work together to immerse users in a wide range of activities. The system can be activated by kicking, rolling or shaking the ball, which will trigger projections to be displayed including targets to aim for, animations to interact with and more.

The ‘GOAL’ concept identifies how we could see toys evolve into the near-future as a means of bridging the disconnect between children who have grown up using technology, but need analog activities for further stimulation.

An updated edition of the April 30, 2025, article.

Founders cultivate and make a company from scratch. They have profound passion, a steadfast vision, and tireless dedication for their ventures. Their willingness to take risks often surpasses that of traditional managers, as they embrace unconventional ideas, champion innovation, and make bold decisions to drive success. As a result, these businesses often become true reflections of their founders’ core values, ideals and long-term ambitions.

Founder-run companies represent less than 5% of the S&P 500 index. But that does not make their contribution any less. Everyone is aware of the success stories of visionary founder-owners like Elon Musk, Warren Buffett, Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates, who have redefined industries, creating trillion-dollar companies that continue to thrive. Some of today’s prominent founder-run companies are NVIDIA Corporation NVDA, Amazon AMZN, Meta META, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A), (BRK.B) and Netflix NFLX. Founder-led companies represent nearly 15% of the total index’s market capitalization, with technology companies taking the lead.

As these companies are born out of a unique idea, they often involve technological innovation. These companies are built from scratch in a way that they can navigate challenges to stay sustainable over the long term.

Initially, others may not relate to a founder’s belief, making it difficult to source funds for the project. The founder often ends up putting personal wealth and savings into such bootstrap companies. If successful, they attract angel investors or raise funds. But it’s always the founder-owner whose stake and risk are the highest.

Moreover, founder-owners often struggle to delegate responsibilities, driven by skepticism about whether others can truly match their level of commitment or understanding. Thus, they tend to assume multiple senior roles and frequently struggle to identify a capable successor. However, excelling across all areas is rarely feasible. This hesitation to delegate can restrict the infusion of professional expertise, potentially impeding the company’s ability to scale effectively or respond swiftly to changing market dynamics.

Nevertheless, there is strong evidence that founder-led companies tend to perform better over time. Per Harvard Business Review Study, founder-led companies had a market-adjusted return of 12% over three years against a return of negative 26% for companies that hired a professional CEO. Our Founder-Run Companies Screen further makes it easy to identify high-potential stocks. Currently, stocks like Netflix, AppLovin Corporation APP and Dell Technologies Inc. DELL look appealing. 

Ready to uncover more transformative thematic investment ideas? Explore 30 cutting-edge investment themes with Zacks Thematic Screens and discover your next big opportunity.

3 Founder-Run Companies to Add to Your Portfolio

Netflix, with a market capitalization of $387.7 billion, is considered a pioneer in the streaming space. The company evolved from a small DVD rental provider to a dominant streaming service provider, courtesy of its wide-ranging content portfolio and strong international footprint. Wilmot Reed Hastings Jr. co-founded Netflix with Marc Randolph in 1997 and is the executive chairman of the company.

Netflix has been spending aggressively on building its portfolio of original shows. This is helping the company sustain its leading position despite the launch of services like Disney+ and Apple TV+, as well as existing services like Amazon Prime Video. NFLX carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The company’s focus on streaming regional content has been leading to international growth. Netflix is diversifying its content portfolio and working on projects across India, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Germany, Brazil, France, Turkey and the entire Middle East. The company has launched low-priced mobile plans in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. Moreover, the upcoming lower-priced ad tier is expected to further drive growth in these price-sensitive regions. 

Netflix’s 2025 priorities include improving its core business with more series and films to offer an enhanced product experience, growth of its ads business, and newer initiatives such as live programming and games. It believes these initiatives should help it sustain healthy growth and thus projects 2025 revenues between $43.5 billion and $44.5 billion and an operating margin of 29%.

AppLovin, with a market capitalization of $129.7 billion, has solidified its leadership in mobile advertising, powered by its next-gen AI engine, Axon 2. Adam Foroughi co-founded AppLovin with John Krystynak and Andrew Karamin in 2012 and is the executive chairman of the company.

AppLovin’s AXON machine learning engine has played a pivotal role in driving the growth of its software platform, enabling developers to optimize both user acquisition and monetization efforts. As the mobile advertising landscape shifts toward data-driven, performance-oriented solutions, AppLovin is strategically positioned to capture greater market share, particularly through its increasing emphasis on scalable, AI-enabled technologies. Its vertically integrated model, which combines cutting-edge ad tech with owned content, provides a competitive advantage in data utilization and user engagement optimization.

AppLovin’s transition to a software-centric model has led to improved margins and strengthened its financial performance, backed by solid free cash flow and effective capital management. The company’s decision to divest lower-performing gaming assets and focus on its high-growth ad tech platform positions it to further enhance profitability and deliver stronger returns on invested capital.

AppLovin is capitalizing on AI to drive direct, scalable monetization in mobile advertising, a strategy that is paying off. It sports a Zacks Rank #1.

Dell Technologies, with a market capitalization of $75.5 billion, is a leading provider of servers, storage and PCs. Boasting one of the world’s largest technology infrastructure companies, Dell was founded by Michael Saul Dell and is expected to benefit from recovering demand driven by the PC-refresh cycle. 

Dell addresses the evolving needs of on-premises, cloud, and edge environments by enabling organizations to manage and secure workloads effectively through advanced storage solutions such as PowerProtect Data Domain and PowerScale. These systems are further strengthened by AI-powered ransomware detection, enhancing data protection and operational resilience.

This Zacks Rank #2 company is also benefiting from strong demand for AI servers, driven by ongoing digital transformation and heightened interest in generative AI applications. AI-focused server launches and collaboration with key players like NVIDIA and AMD further enhance its competitiveness in the AI infrastructure space. Dell’s strong cash flow, as well as disciplined capital allocation, reflects its solid performance.

Dell Technologies’ innovative portfolio, expanding partner base and growing AI footprint are major growth drivers. Thus, for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, revenues are expected to be between $22.5 billion and $23.5 billion, with the mid-point of $23 billion suggesting 3% year-over-year growth. Non-GAAP earnings are expected to be $1.65 per share (+/- 10 cents), indicating 25% growth at the midpoint.

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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